Coffee may support healthy aging in women

What you probably already know: Scientific journals are rife with a slow-but-steady drip of studies on the health implications — for better or worse — of drinking coffee. Some point to reduced risk of early death and certain diseases for coffee drinkers who sip in moderation (“moderation” being the key word); others suggest that the caffeinated beverage only acts as a life-prolonging elixir when consumed before noon. People around the world rely on coffee to get through the day, and in so doing, may reap a plethora of rewards from improved cognitive function to a more balanced gut microbiome. Now, new research implies the fountain of youth runs brown.

Why? A morning cup of coffee may promote healthy aging in women, according to a pre-print study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. Researchers followed 47,513 female nurses over a span of 30 years, tracking their dietary and health data. This included monitoring their caffeine intake, which they did by asking the women to fill out routine questionnaires about their consumption of caffeinated and non-caffeinated coffee, tea, and cola. Researchers defined “healthy aging” as living to 70 or older, being free from 11 major chronic diseases, maintaining physical function and good mental health, and having no known memory or cognitive issues. After adjusting for other factors that could impact healthy aging (like weight, smoking, alcohol use, etc.), the researchers found that 3,706 women met these “healthy aging” parameters. They typically consumed an average of 315 mg of caffeine each day, mostly from drinking coffee, when they were between the ages of 45 and 60. Each extra cup of coffee these women drank per day was linked to a 2-5% higher chance of doing well later in life — though it’s important to note that there was a limit. The benefits were capped at up to five small cups of coffee a day, or about 2.5 large cups by today’s standards, the researchers said.

What it means: Caffeinated coffee may uniquely support healthy mental and physical aging. As with many past studies, moderation was still found to be a key factor. Up to two cups of coffee per day is likely beneficial for most people, the researchers said. More than that could offer other benefits, or could negatively impact health, depending on the person’s caffeine tolerance or genetics. Women who drank decaffeinated coffee or tea did not experience these “healthy aging” benefits, according to the study. Furthermore, caffeinated soda had the reverse effect: each additional small glass was linked to a 20-26% lower likelihood of healthy aging. “These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,” said study leader Sara Mahdavi, an adjunct professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto. “Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking.” The study made clear that the benefits of coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits.

What happens next: While this new study suggests a link between coffee and healthy aging in women, it doesn’t prove cause and requires more study. Mahdavi told Time Magazine, “Women who aged best were also more likely to eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking — those behaviors matter much more.” It’s also unclear if the women in the study added anything to their daily cup of joe. A separate study published last month substantiates the health benefits of moderate, regular coffee consumption, but found the positive effects were canceled by adding sugar or heavy dairy. The team behind the 30-year study plans to take a deeper look at this topic by examining coffee’s bioactive compounds and how they interact with genetic and metabolic aging markers, particularly in women. The results could help scientists create more personalized treatment plans and dietary recommendations that lead to longer, healthier lives.